Ben Folds Releases Fake Album

Always amusing piano rocker and singer/songwriter Ben Folds had some fans a little confused, when six tracks supposedly from his upcoming album Way to Normal hit the Web recently. In step with the recent trend of artists “leaking” their own records before their actual release. Folds put the tracks up for grabs himself.

Always amusing piano rocker and singer/songwriter Ben Folds had some fans a little confused, when six tracks supposedly from his upcoming album Way to Normal hit the Web recently. In step with the recent trend of artists “leaking” their own records before their actual release. Folds put the tracks up for grabs himself.

In typical Folds fashion, however, the leak was not an act of shameless self-promotion, but rather a joke he masterminded with his band. “You see so many rock bands in the studio and it’s serious, serious business,” Folds told Rolling Stone. “They got the making-of camera up their ass the whole time and they’re on the BlackBerry the other half of the time. I just think that we all need to remember how to have fun.”

The tracks Folds and his band recorded, which were “joke” versions of actual tracks on the upcoming album, were described by critics and fansites as being “rough,” creating a bit of confusion over their authenticity. An example of Folds’ foolery includes a re-write of WTN track “Brainwashed,” as seen from the perspective of a 13-year-old boy.

Nine “joke” tracks were recorded in only eight hours, six of which made their way to the Interwebs for your listening pleasure. One of Ben’s personal favorites, “Bitch Went Nutz,” is currently on his MySpace.

Joke tracks aside, Folds’ new album is recorded and ready for release. The record, produced by Dennis Herring, features a guest appearance by Regina Spektor on “You Don’t Know Me” and is described by Folds as having a “lyric-driven feel.” Way to Norma’ hits shelves September 30, and Folds will be TOURING beginning early September.